Studio Profile: Cody Heller

NextFab member Cody Heller is a jeweler working out of the North Fourth jewelry studio and a great example of a member who maximizes the potential of his membership.

Heller can usually be found honing his craft in the jewelry studio at NextFab’s 1227 N. 4th Street location, which serves as his professional work space. Inspired by a friend who was a member, he’d been prodded to join. When he heard of the North Fourth location, with a full jewelry studio–in his neighborhood, he took the bait. “I went down south [to 2025 Washington Avenue], asked if the rumors were true, and signed up that day,” says Heller.

“It is hard to imagine the Jewelry Studio without him sitting at lucky bench number 4,” says Studio Manager Melissa Guglielmo, noting that Heller was the first member to join the North Fourth location.

Access to the tools, processes, and expertise of the staff has helped Heller’s work evolve at a pace that would not be possible in a home studio or rented space.

“The best thing about using NextFab as a workspace is the staff,” relates Heller. “I was originally drawn to the location for the pristine work conditions and a vast array of tools. But after only a short time, I found that the staff is what makes this place unique. Even with all the tools provided, I would not be as confident with the outcome of my work if it were not for the support and suggestions I received along the way. That’s the advantage that I did not expect when first joining.”

Guglielmo explains, “[Heller] had been using wire wrapping techniques for over 8 years to make pendants with semi-precious gemstones. Since joining NextFab, Cody has focused on developing his soldering and fabrication skills. He has crafted many unique settings to highlight his collection of gems, stones, and crystals. Each one-of-a-kind setting that he embarks on creates new challenges that push his creative direction and skill set forward.”

“It has been nothing but exciting to watch him pick up a new tool or technique and weave it into his current methods,” Guglielmo continues. “It should not go un-noted that when other jewelry studio members come in they ask where ‘Sweet Cody’ is. He is generous with his knowledge and shares his experience openly with visitors and members.”

This symbiosis is another benefit of using the space as a work studio, just as member-to-staff relationships add to creative productivity, so do member-to-member relationships.

“Evolution of my jewelry has always been apparent in my work,” continues Heller, “I try to make every piece with more detail and patience than the one before. At NextFab my jewelry has developed as my skills and knowledge of the tools developed. The staff has shown me ‘shortcuts’ and tools that have directly improved and helped my evolution as a jeweler.”

The benefits of having a dedicated studio space like North Fourth span from design flexibility to tools and technology to community support. Guglielmo explains the practicalities of these benefits, and how using NextFab as a dedicated studio works: “As a jeweler, it is not difficult to set up a bench to work at in your own home or studio. Where it gets challenging is when you have a project that requires a piece of equipment you haven’t invested in yet or when you hit a wall that keeps you from being productive. Being in a studio where you have the resources available to you to learn a new technique or get exposed to a different method of making can elevate your work and get you past any bumps along the road.”

Heller mirrors the sentiment, “The work I was doing when alone and the work I do at NextFab is completely different. I have been able to more fluently channel my artistic self with a little help from the staff.”

Getting started at NextFab is easier than ever. A new “Pilot” membership level has just been launched for the first 3 months of 2017. This membership, at just $19 a month, allows access to NextFab classes in woodworking, metalworking, electronics, laser cutting, 3D printing, and more. It’s a great way to get up to speed and feel out about the different departments at NextFab.